FASHION WEEK: Orlando Pita Flatirons Braids at Derek Lam

Derek Lam's shows at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week always draw large crowds--they are always one of the most popular, most talked-about shows and for good reason--this designer knows how to wow.

He called upon Fashion Week king Orlando Pita for T3 and Phyto to create the look for this season's show. "The collection is called Bohemian Minimalism," Pita says, "though the hair is shaped, it still has texture."

To begin, the hair was sectioned into three-inch wide parts and sprayed with Phyto Workable Holding Spray and dried with the T3 Featherweight Luxe 2i Dryer. Then, eight braids are created around the head and flatironed with a T3 SinglePass Flat Iron. The braids are left to cool and then brushed out with slight back teasing. Then, it's finished with a severe center part and pinned behind both ears.

While we talked with Pita about the look, I couldn't help but think back to being a kid, going to sleep with braids in my wet hair so I could wake up to texture.

"I was a teenager in the '70s during the disco era, and all my girlfriends would sleep with rag-curls in their hair and even sometimes little braids to get a crimped textured look with a side pony," Pita says. "It's such a fun look."

The make-up was designed by Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder with, obviously, the lip being a major focal point. To design the lip use the following colors: Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick in Burnished Bronze, Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquer in Electric Wine, and Pure Color Stay-On Eye Shadow Paint in Sinister.

"On the eyes, we've created a 'ray of light' using nude grays--sort of a stripe from eyebrow to eye lashes," Pecheux says. "We didn't do an eyebrow or a mascara. Without a defined brow, it creates a sort of casualness. Very few designers are so talented--and Derek is one of them. What makes him good, of course he has his creative energy and design, but he has this respect of women. WHen you add this minimalistic flavor with incredible material he makes women look very feminine and luxurious and ample."

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About the Author:

Alison Alhamed

As Editor in Chief, Alison shapes the voice, content and design for MODERN SALON magazine, websites and social platforms—collaborating with artists and brands on photoshoot planning and layouts for the magazine, web exclusives, launches, global event coverage and breaking news. Alison oversees the content creation on all of MODERN SALON’s platforms, giving MODERN’s vibrant and engaged followers the platform to share their talent and work with the world of professional beauty. Her love for the professional beauty industry grew even deeper after she enrolled in beauty school, working as an editor by day and a student by night. As a beauty editor and licensed cosmetologist, Alison is passionate about the professional salon industry.